Back in Business

We are back and ready to bring you some fun new posts this year! For starters we thought we would kick this off with a fun fact:  It costs about twice what they are worth to produce nickels and pennies.  So the next time you have that change in your pocket remember that there is more to it than meets the eye. Also, a fun post-Christmas recipe: Left Over Turkey Casserole Ingredients:

• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 1 eating apple, cored and chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried sage, or 5 sage leaves, chopped
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 300ml vegetable or chicken stock
• 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
• 2 tbsp runny honey
• 400g-500g leftover turkey, shredded
• about 350g leftover roasted vegetables like roast potatoes, parsnips, celeriacs and carrots, chunkily diced

Directions:

1. Fry the onion and apple in the oil until softened in a casserole or deep pan. Stir in the sage for 1 min, then stir in the flour. Gradually stir in the stock followed by the mustard and honey.
2. Bring up to a simmer and stir in the turkey and roast veg. Cover and gently simmer for 15 mins until turkey is piping hot. Season and eat with mash or jacket potatoes.

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion

Enjoy! This information was found at: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1826709/leftover-turkey-casserole-

Helpful Household Tips: Different Uses for Tea Bags

Tea tastes great, but did you know that it can be used outside the body as well!  Tea has a multitude of personal uses including:

• Soothe Sunburn- If your skin has been burned badly then wet a few tea bags and place them on the affected area.  The tea will help to relive the sting. 
• Subdue Razor Burn- Razor burn is no fun at all.  Apply a moist tea bag to the burned area and feel the awesome relief!
• Reduce Foot Odor- Bathe your feet in a tea bath for about 20 minutes every day to reduce any foot odor you may have.  The stronger the bath, the better the results.
• Homemade Mouthwash- If you have a toothache or other mouth pain then try rinsing with peppermint tea mixed with a pinch of salt. 
• Dry Poison Ivy Rash- As summer approaches so will poison ivy season.  Dip a cotton ball or other towel in tea and apply to the rash.  Let the moisture dry on its own.  Repeat the process as needed.

This information was gathered from the following Reader’s Digest site.

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Quick Dinner Recipe: Pizza Pasta Bake

Italian food rocks!  How can you combine two the best Italian foods in one simple entrée?  Simple, just use the Pizza Pasta Bake recipe below.  It is quick, easy to make and combines all the necessary ingredients for a great night around the dinner table!

Ingredients:

1 package (16 oz) penne pasta

3 links sweet Italian sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

1 can (15 oz) Muir Glen® organic pizza sauce

1 can (6 oz) pitted ripe olives, drained, sliced

1 can (4 oz) Green Giant® mushrooms pieces and stems, drained

1 large bunch fresh basil, stems removed, leaves coarsely chopped

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup sliced pepperoni

 

Directions:

 

1.) Heat oven to 450°F. Spray 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package, using minimum cook time.

2.) Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, cook sausage, bell pepper and onion over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until sausage is no longer pink and vegetables are crisp-tender.

3.) In baking dish, mix pasta and pizza sauce. Add sausage-vegetable mixture, olives, mushrooms and basil; toss until well combined. Sprinkle with cheeses; top with pepperoni.

4.) Bake uncovered 8 to 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted.

This recipe was found at the attached site.

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

 

What is Memorial Day?

Since 1971, Memorial Day has fallen on the final Monday in the month May.  Although most people know Memorial Day has something to do with men and women in the armed services, they do not know the true meaning or origin of the national holiday.  Originally called Decoration Day, many military members and family of those who served began honoring those who passed during the Civil War.  Decoration Day was originally scheduled to fall on May 30, but was eventually changed the final Monday in May to ensure a longer weekend for those who chose to celebrate the lives of their lost friends and family.  Memorial Day became an official national holiday in 1971.  Although all members of the service should be honored, Memorial Day serves as a time to recognize those who have fallen.  The White House flag is raised to half-staff for a portion of the day to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives while serving our country.  The entire Ryan Family is extremely grateful to all the men and women who have passed, served or will serve our country in the armed services!

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Helpful Household Tips: Different Uses for Dental Floss

Have you been flossing?  Apart from minimizing dental bills and creating a brilliant smile, dental floss has some great uses that most people do not know about.  Floss is cheap and can be used all over your house…

• Cut Delicate Food-Sometimes a knife is hard to come by, or maybe you do not have the right size to cut delicate food like cake.  Try using floss next time to get a clean cut!
• Remove Cookies- The most delicious cookies are always the ones that don’t want to come off the baking sheet.  Slide floss underneath them after baking to remove them with ease and no mess left behind!
• Lose the Ring- Ever had a ring stuck on your finger?  Whether you need to take it off for good or bad reasons, if it’s stuck then wrap the rest of your finger tightly with floss and slide the ring right off.
• Hang Things- When the holiday season rolls around use mint dental floss to hang ornaments on the tree. 
• Un-Stick Photos- If you have two photos stuck together try using floss to get them apart.  Ripping them apart with your hands can cause damage to both, so slide floss between them and savor each picture for another day!
• Floss- The most important use has to do with your beautiful teeth.  Keep a healthy smile by flossing every day.

These uses were found at the following link.

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

No Email After Work

The average work day is filled with dozens of emails, phone calls and even text messages.  Communication with others is constant and this continuous back and forth can wear on you as the day comes to a close.  Unfortunately, we know that sometimes you check your work email on the weekend, on the way home, or even worse…at home!  A recent study found that some of the most successful people do not open their email, or even answer their phone once the work day has concluded.  Why is this?  The study showed that when people are constantly in “work mode” they get burned out, crabby and their creativity tends to run out.  It is understandable.  The human body naturally gets tired around 3-5pm as it needs rest and relaxation.  The founders of 5 Hour Energy capitalized on this notion as they discovered that most people need a boost in the afternoon.  So, what can turning the computer or cell phone off after the work day do for you?  It can recharge your brain so you come to work energized.  It can re-boot your creative side so new ideas flow out of you.  Most importantly, keeping work at the workplace can dramatically change your health as it can reduce stress in your life.  We know you work hard, just keep it at the workplace so you can continue to shine!

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Awesome Body Facts

There are some cool body feelings that are nothing short of amazing, so we took to Reader’s Digest to find the answers.

Why Does My Stomach Feel Up in My Throat On Roller Coasters?

 Believe it or not, your insides (stomach and intestines) are actually shifting.  Don’t worry though it is not harmful to your health as they go right back into place.

Why Does Luke Warm Coffee Taste So Bad?

Certain taste buds in your mouth are more receptive to temperature than others with certain foods.  For coffee, the taste is less bitter when it is hot.  Odors also influence taste.  The hotter the coffee=a stronger aroma=a better taste.

Can Achy Joints Actually Predict Weather?

To a degree, yes.  When a storm is brewing, the atmospheric pressure will most likely drop which could cause body tissue to swell.  This swelling can increase the pain someone has in their joints.

Why Do I Get Side Aches When  I Run?

The running process, although healthy, can stretch, pull and pound your diaphragm.  This can lead to a sharp pain.  To stop the pain, slow down, or work on taking longer breaths when running.

There are quite a few more at the following Reader’s Digest site.

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.          

Quick Dinner Recipe: Philly Cheese Steak Pizza

Everyone likes pizza, especially kids.  Try this delicious homemade pizza recipe this week when you are in a crunch for a quick dinner.  The family is sure to love this special East Coast pizza:

Ingredients:

1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 Tablespoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon beef bouillon granules
½ pound thinly sliced deli roast beef
1 Tablespoon prepared Italian salad dressing
1½ cups (6 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Unroll crescent roll dough into one long rectangle, seal perforations.

3. Press dough onto the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 13x9x2 baking dish.

4. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

5. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, sauté the green pepper and onion in oil and bouillon until vegetables are tender, set aside.

6. Arrange beef over crust. Brush with salad dressing, top with pepper mixture and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

7. Bake 4 to 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

8. Cut into squares. Makes 6 servings.

This recipe was found at the attached site.

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Respect the Farmers Tan

It is fairly common practice, especially for the younger generation, to make fun of those who sport a “farmer’s tan.”  The jokes are quickly approaching as the weather is heating up with each day.  Unlike most of the public we would like to take a moment to salute those who have a famer’s tan.  You may wonder why we would do such a thing, and it is a pretty simple explanation.  Those who have tan lines represent a strong class of people.  Athletes, outdoor workers and yes, farmers, are some of the hardest working people on this great earth.  We don’t see funny tan lines on these people; we see dedication, hard work and a personal drive.  These people have the guts to work a job, play a sport or provide much needed services to their community with their shirt on!  To all of you out there with a farmer’s tan, we thank you.  The hard work you put forth in the field, on the job or with your team does not go unnoticed. 

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.      

Work Snacks 101

Work Snacks 101

We all know that time of the day when our stomachs start grumbling.  Lunch is hours behind us, fatigue starts to set in and we need some sustenance to get us through the rest of the day.  Unfortunately, we often turn to unhealthy choices: chips, pop, candy and other fatty or sugary snacks.  These food items, although tasty, can bring on more hunger, less energy and even extra weight.  Stay healthy this week and try a few of these simple alternatives:

• Peanut butter and jelly sandwich– A pretty obvious choice.  The key with this snack is to buy healthy peanut butter.  It may cost a few dollars extra, but the numerous health benefits outweigh the price difference.
• Almonds-These wonderful nuts are packed with protein, or energy, and are a healthy alternative to a majority of vending machine snacks.
• Apple or Orange-The natural sugars in fruit can help propel you through the end of the day.
• Protein shake-Protein shakes do not have to cost you an arm and a leg.  There are a multitude of affordable options at your local grocery store.  Most of these powders can be mixed easily with water and they come in a variety of flavors.
• Simple sandwich– What is a simple sandwich?  It is meat, a slice of healthy cheese and bread.  Stay away from mayonnaise, mustard and other condiments.  A small sandwich should give you enough energy to type a few more emails before the final bell rings.

Happy snacking!

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.